James Cook Returns to Bills Practice, HC Says 'Things Have Changed' for Contract Talks

Buffalo Bills running back James Cook returned to practice on Tuesday for the first time since he began sitting out on Aug. 3 for what he told reporters were "business" reasons.

Bills head coach Sean McDermott had said before practice that Cook was expected to participate and that "things have changed" regarding his status.

"Yes, we have had conversations with James. Good conversations, as I've mentioned before," McDermott told reporters on Tuesday.

McDermott did not expand on whether the Bills were close to finalizing an extension for Cook, who has previously indicated he is seeking $15 million per year on his next deal.

That average annual salary would rank Cook as one of the top four highest-paid running backs in the NFL, per Over the Cap.

The $5.8 million he is averaging per season on his rookie contract currently ranks him 51st at the position, according to Over the Cap.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport has previously reported that Cook and the Bills "have not been that far apart" while negotiating the running back's extension.

McDermott praised Cook for joining the Bills for the July 23 beginning of training camp without a new contract.

General manager Brandon Beane later said in an appearance on WGR 550 Sports Radio's Jeremy and Joe Show that Cook's decision to stop participating in camp was "not something we were fully aware of until shortly before practice" on Aug. 3.

Cook's hold-in eventually extended to Week 1 of the preseason, in which he agreed to dress and warm up but not play against the New York Giants last Saturday.

McDermott said at the time that he had wanted Cook to play, but that "at this point, due to his situation, the position he's in, was not willing to play."

The head coach said he and Cook had shared a "good conversation" the day before the preseason game, but that there was "really no change at this time from what it was going into this weekend."

McDermott seemed more certain things with Cook had changed heading into Tuesday's session, although he was not completely sure when speaking with media just before practice whether the running back would be in attendance.

"The information that we're getting is that he is moving in the direction of practicing today," McDermott said shortly before the Tuesday practice. "We'll see in a few minutes, but that's the information we got."

McDermott declined to say whether that information had come from Cook himself.

Buffalo fans will now wait to see if Cook is on good enough terms with his team to make his 2025 preseason debut on Sunday when the Bills kick off an 8 p.m. ET road game against the Chicago Bears.